Can I get some input from those of you with 6-speed manuals who chose 4.88s for your regear? I've searched and read and searched and read, but I'd like to ping the board directly at this point...

If you're running 4.88s with a stick, tell me your tire size and give me your overall impression of your JK's performance, e.g. in town? On the slab? On the rocks?

If you have an X like I do (with a 3:1 t-case), did the 4.88s give you plenty of crawl in the tough stuff?

Does your engine buzz going down the highway at 70-75 mph? Etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

i have a 6 speed w/5.13's and 38"s , in 6th gear its about 2750 rpm ,, i wish i went 5.38's

 

This is exactly why I plan to do 5.38's. notice ya didnt say I wish I would have gone with 4.88's

 

Not so much looking for input on 5.13s or 5.38s fellas.

 

I'm running 35's with 4.88's on my 6 spd X. No problems at all on the trails (mostly rock crawling) or on the street. I can run 70-80 mph on the highway in 6th gear without a problem.

If I had it to do over again, I might have gone with 5.13's, but only because I'm thinking about jumping up to 37's next spring.

I get 15.5 mpg around town, and can get 18.5 on the highway if I run between 65-70.

Hope this helps - if you have any other questions, post them, or shoot me a PM.

JD

 

I have an 09 JK X with a 6-speed and 4.88s. I have pseudo 33" tires (32" measured). On the street I like it much better than the stock 3.73s. I can actually use 5th and 6th on the highway. At times I wish I had lower gearing for off road but, I don't wish I had lower diff gears. I would rather have a lower range transfer case. As for your question about highway driving, I don't drive mine above 65 but, at that speed I do not notice any buzz. My rpms at 65 with 32s should be close to what you are getting at 75 with 35s.

 

JD, that helps me me finalize my decision, thank you. I've got 33s, could foresee going to 35s at some point, but I will mostly likely stick with what I have. I think the 4.88s should serve me well.

8633, thank you too for your input. The fact you're running 33s (measuring 32) with 4.88s and are living happily with that setup is truly encouraging. And you live in Moab, Utah. Nice!

 

However by saying they have 5.13s and wished they went for 5.38s it is the equivelent to saying they feel 4.88s are no good.

In your original post you didn't say what tires you are looking at which obviously would make a difference. After reading many posts over the years I have found most people decide they should have went to the next set and because it is expensive to regear a JK they end up stuck with their original decision.

If you are looking at 32s or 33s I would think 4.88s would be fine but it seems everyone always wants to go bigger.